Christmas isn’t the same without a tree, it’s just got to be done. We all get super excited, go out and spend ages mulling over various trees before bringing home our prize Christmas tree. We go up into the loft, searching for the decorations, untangling lights, pouring a glass of wine, decorating the tree, glass of wine, queue standard Facebook status of said decorated Christmas tree, glass of wine.
Feeling festive now right?
And then the baby/toddler/cat/dog gets involved… Give it a week and half of the tree is on the floor, baubles and pine needles littered EVERYWHERE!
You end up giving up on lost baubles, keeping the Hoover permanently by the Christmas tree and checking the rubbish bin schedule for tree collection.
If you’re particularly unlucky, your pet may decide your decorating skills aren’t up to scratch (mind the pun), and decide to take matters into it’s own paws…
Do you laugh, cry or pour yourself another glass of wine!?
So my tips are not so much on decorating, but how to try and keep disaster to a minimum! I’ve also included some top tips from my lovely vet friend on keeping your Christmas tree pet friendly.
1. Put the tree in the house for 24-48hrs with no decorations. Let the pets sniff, chew and scent it and then when it is decorated they won’t be as interested! (top vet tip)
2. Consider getting a smaller tree and placing it on a table above the reach of tiny hands.
3. Put your tree in a corner of the room or in between furniture so there’s less surface area exposed to disaster.
3. Do not put any breakable baubles or ornaments on the tree. Even if you place these higher up the tree, there’s no guarantee that they’ll break if/when the tree comes crashing down…
4. No tinsel or that metallic string if you have pets as it can cause horrendous damage to their intestines! (top vet tip)
5. No chocolates on trees if you have a dog as it is toxic to them if they decide to help themselves. (top vet tip)
6. Don’t leave the tree lights on and the tree unattended as a pet chewing the cable could electrocute themselves. (top vet tip)
7. If all else fails – put a child safety gate around the tree, pour yourself a glass of wine and relax!
Credit: Pinterest via azlarsens.blogspot.com
Merry Christmas everyone!
Natalia xo
